https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 21:54:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2499496 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 11:15:50 +0000 DillonLion 2499496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. My boss's wife is about to give birth to their third child, so he's very conscious of prioritizing family time. He doesn't require me to work late and doesn't make us check in/check emails on nights/weekends. I like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2499486 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 11:10:22 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2499486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lovehoneybee: I work for the state too and this is exactly what we have. I would love to see even 2-4 weeks maternity/paternity covered before having to use up all our PTO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2499481 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 11:08:57 +0000 Anagram 2499481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not really at all, for my field (education). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2499058 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 06:03:52 +0000 looch 2499058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess it depends on the definition...could I bring my son to work? No. Can I take time off for a doctor's visit no questions asked? Yes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2499024 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 03:00:28 +0000 Mrs D 2499024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My employer (the company) is average at best.</p> <p>My boss (a female executive (mother of two) is phenomenal. Extremely accommodating and understanding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2499011 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 00:24:19 +0000 StbHisMrs 2499011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My old boss was, both my girls came to the office with almost everyday. I breastfed/pumped, could leave whenever (unpaid), I could even pick my son up from school and bring him in for a couple hours. Best boss ever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498436 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 16:15:00 +0000 Miss Ariel 2498436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: I thought about that when I was typing my answer, but I guess small is kind of realative? I do work for an insurance company though and compared to most out there we're small. Plus it's famil owned with the husband, wife, son, and daughter all here working so it has a small company feel to it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498419 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 16:06:07 +0000 winniebee 2498419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think so. I work for my father's law firm and they allow part time flex schedules. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498418 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 16:05:43 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2498418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not really. I'm changing that though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498397 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 15:49:15 +0000 Astro Bee 2498397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As an overall organization/government department, and immediate supervisors/management, it is very family friendly. Most of my co-workers are men, and management is very understanding when they need to leave work for sick kids or appointments. Both men and women get parental leave up to 9 months shared (plus 3 for the woman only), and both get a top up to approx 93% of their salary - over and above the 51% required by law. When I decided to take the full year, rather than coming back at 10 months, as I'd initially planned, they were very supportive. There is a baby boom going on in the office, which is stretching everyone pretty tight, but the administration has been great about it, and very encouraging. We also have flex hours and can modify them to the left or right, as needed, within reason. No work from home, however, but that is because of the work we do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498394 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 15:47:15 +0000 Modern Daisy 2498394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not really. My office is filled with men whose wives stay home and I have been told several times there is no schedule or wfh flexibility.. Even though we are salaried and have capabilities to work remotely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498361 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 15:22:00 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2498361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Based on what I hear from working moms in my role I think so. For instance, all the managers know and are perfectly fine with the moms needing to pick up their kids 3:30 ish/4 ish. I would say that's family friendly since I feel like I'm "on call" until 5:30 pm.</p> <p>Overall the nature of my job is not famply friendly. Early morning and late evenings are often taken up preparing for the next day/ catching up on the day before. We get bogged down with administratrivia. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498240 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 14:11:53 +0000 Mommy Finger 2498240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My company is maybe trying to be more family friendly. My boss is very much anti working mothers. Or at least he doesn't understand it b/c his wife never worked. Ergo, I'm looking for a new job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498198 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 13:51:39 +0000 mrsjyw 2498198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>very! Our company + my boss/team! </p> <p>I already work a flex schedule (office one day a week) and since my job is based on my project workload/time management; as long as my work is done, they don't care when I have to take off, etc. I feel very fortunate to have a team and boss that are very understanding! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498171 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 13:38:04 +0000 Umbreon 2498171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes and no. For me, at my level, they are extremely flexible, I can work at any time of the day as long as I put in 40 hours a week, and I can work from home if I need to. </p> <p>But the people at a level higher than me seem to always be working overtime, weekends, etc. So I don't want to get promoted! (I dont' want to be a manager anyway, so it's fine). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498132 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 13:14:54 +0000 lovehoneybee 2498132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work for the state, and no, not really. I can take PTO, but it has to be PTO I've earned. We can take up to 6 months of maternity leave, but it's basically unpaid (you have to use up at least all of your paid sick time before the unpaid leave kicks in) and you still have to pay your premiums to keep your insurance while you're gone. But my health insurance is pretty much unbeatable, so that helps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498126 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 13:11:41 +0000 LuLu Mom 2498126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmmm, my immediate boss, yes he understands with staying home/leaving early for sick kids, doc appointments, ect. They do not offer any paid maternity leave and I do not think it is a coincidence that of the female managers there actually are, only 2 of them have children. There are more mothers who are assistant managers but never promoted to the manager position. So as a business no, but I'm lucky that my (male) manager supports us. I know I will never be promoted though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498119 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 13:06:04 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2498119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When it comes to the administrative staff (people at Corporate), somewhat. I'm lucky enough to be one of those people. There are flexible work arrangements and depending on your boss, they are good with PTO.</p> <p>If you look at my company as a whole in our policies and how we treat our field employees, absolutely not. We're SO incredibly behind on family friendly employee practices and work/life balance, and it makes me sad for our employees. I'm hoping something changes soon, but it's not likely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498052 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 12:32:48 +0000 MaisyMay 2498052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes and No.<br /> Yes:<br /> ~ 12 weeks paid leave that doesn't require concurrent use of sick/vacation time<br /> ~ Pumping room close to desk area<br /> ~ A relatively generous amount of sick/personal/vacation time.<br /> ~ Worked with me to go down to 4 days a week prior to going on leave<br /> ~ Good benefits including family coverage</p> <p>NO:<br /> ~ Inflexible start times<br /> ~ Some superiors not understanding of parental needs<br /> ~ No work from home</p> <p>All in all, I think that they are. It's a great company, but a bit of a commute for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498047 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 12:30:14 +0000 MrsBrewer 2498047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Very! I work part time for a small CPA firm, and in the interview we ended up talking about my daughter and my boss was requesting pictures! hahaha I am able to take off when I need to for my daughter, and I don't feel guilty at all. Although we don't have any maternity leave..... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498041 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 12:27:43 +0000 Freckles 2498041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, but i really think it depends on your boss. My director doesn't care if i'm half there during the day (i work from home) because my kids are sick, and she never asks me to take PTO for sick days/appointments/etc. As long as the work gets done - that's all that matters. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498030 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 12:21:49 +0000 catlady 2498030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say mine is, although it's more that they are generally just flexible about where and when we work (for any reason, not just kid related). They did make a place for me to pump and I was able to do it for 9 months, so that was great. In terms of maternity leave, I got 12 weeks unpaid and paid for my own STD (which only gave me 6 weeks at 60% pay) so I would say they are just average in that department. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498023 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 12:16:43 +0000 ValentineMommy 2498023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most definitely, with the 1 exception of the lack of maternity leave.</p> <p>They do, however, have flexible start times, scheduled and flexible work from home, and you can change your schedule at any time (part time to full time and back again if you want). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2498004 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 12:08:28 +0000 avivoca 2498004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They don't give me any trouble for taking time off for a sick kid or doctor's appointments, but other than that, no, they are not very family friendly. I would never be able to bring H in for even a few minutes to do something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2497994 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 12:02:51 +0000 Littlebit7 2497994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In general, no. I work for a small community hospital per diem.<br /> I only have flexibility because they are desperate for my help whenever I can offer it. So basically I tell them exactly when and what hours I want to work and they say ok. And it is a 5 minute walk from my house. It's a mutually beneficial relationship!<br /> Their "pumping room" was either a windowed office that didn't lock and had no curtains or a windowless room with no furniture that connected to a gross bathroom. I had to drag an office chair into it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2497989 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 12:00:15 +0000 mfa_lady 2497989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As family friendly as they can be in an agency-style environment. We're a team of mostly young middle-aged women, so a lot of us have kids. That really helps.</p> <p>For things that are planned ahead of time, like well checks and other kid events, it's super flexible--just let people know you'll be out and make sure your projects are covered. It's more stressful when things happen in the moment, but as long as you can get your work done somehow everything is usually okay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2497980 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 11:57:56 +0000 blackbird 2497980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>by these standards, very family friendly. nobody gives me crap when i'm out sick with a kid, I can flex my hours however I want, i work part time, and I can work from home as needed. it's the one thing i have trepidation about, regarding a career change. I threw up at work the other night and had to explicitly ask permission to leave. Had it been my engineering job, I would've just gone home, not tried to fight through. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2497974 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 11:55:02 +0000 petitenoisette 2497974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also a teacher, and yes, I think they are very family friendly. We can use sick days for family members (I think technically 5 per year is a limit but I've never heard of them actually enforcing this) and if you need to leave early they are very helpful about covering classes (and I don't think they generally record that as a sick day). We don't technically have maternity leave per se, but we can use sick days to cover up to 12 weeks of paid leave. You can take the rest of the school year off after that unpaid and another year unpaid as well and they will hold your job for you. I've seen them extend that to a second year too. Obviously I can't work from home though!</p> <p>I know I have it good! I know people assume teaching is family friendly but I've heard plenty of stories where it is not (mostly in terms of maternity leave, making moms come back for the end of the school year, etc.). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2497964 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 11:49:39 +0000 regberadaisy 2497964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Miss Ariel: LOL I wouldn't consider 250 employees, small!</p> <p>@schubr03: that's awesome!</p> <p>@snowjewelz: I think it's really important that your direct supervisor/boss is family friendly too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-employer-family-friendly#post-2497962 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 11:48:37 +0000 Miss Ariel 2497962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In a lot of ways yes. I think a lot of it is that there's a lot of young women with families. It's a fairly small company, 250 employees, but there's always people pregnant. We've already had 2 babies born this year and I'm aware of 3 current pregnancies.</p> <p>But it definitely isn't the type of office where you could ever bring your kids to work with you. </p>